Meetings are held at different locations. GOSCIN is a group for persons with SCI in the Orlando area. Our mission is to serve the needs of SCIs in employment, adaptive sports, recreation, social functions, networking, outreach, SCI prevention, and guest speakers for the group.

Please do not under-estimate any storm. Even without direct impact, it is usually the power outages and supply disruptions that cause the most problems. If you have not yet created a plan, you still have time. Here are so me tips and resources to help you:

Keep your car's gas tank full. Top off your tank every day. Lines will get long and gas may become scarce the closer a storm gets. Pumps may not operate if the power is out.

Go to the grocery store TODAY! Supplies dwindle quickly. You should have a gallon of water per person each day for 3 days, preferably longer. Stock up on non-perishable foods that do not require refrigeration, including pet supplies.

Refill your prescription medication. You should have a minimum two-week supply of all your prescription medications. According to Florida law, you can obtain a 30-day refill of your prescription medication - even if you have just refilled it. This law applies if you reside in county that:

Is under a hurricane warning issued by the National Weather Service; or

Is under a state of emergency executive order declared by the Governor; or

A list of the local non-profit or community-based organizations that know you or assist people with access and functional needs similar to yours.

A list of personal contacts, family and friends that you may need to contact in an emergency.

If possible, extra medicine, oxygen, insulin, catheters, or other medical supplies you use regularly.

If you use a motorized wheelchair, have a light weight manual chair available for emergencies. Know the size and weight of your wheelchair, in addition to whether or not it is collapsible, in case it has to be transported.

Even if you do not use a computer yourself, consider putting important information onto a portable thumb drive for easy transport in an evacuation.

Here are some links for further information:

The Florida Disability Disaster Plan web page - This resource, developed by Volunteer Florida and hosted by the Florida Division of Emergency Management, is one of several tools available to help persons with disabilities and their families develop a "Florida specific" Disaster Plan. Find county information on sheltering, plan creation, and videos.

ready.gov - Launched in February 2003, Ready is a national public service advertising campaign designed to educate and empower Americans to prepare for and respond to emergencies including natural disasters and potential terrorist at tacks. Visit the People with Disabilities and Other Special Needs page where you can find some tips and tricks to help you prepare. Ready.gov advises those with disabilities to: (1) Get a Kit of emergency supplies, (2) Make a Plan for what you will do in an emergency, and (3) Be Informed about what might happen. For further details, download a PDF version of Preparing Makes Sense for People with Disabilities and Special Needs.